Naturists are campaigning for naked sunbathing rights in London parksCharles White for Metro.co.ukSaturday 3 Jun 2017

A group of radical nudists are to step up their demands to sunbathe in parks.

Naturists have said they want to sunbathe naked in public spaces without the threat of legal action.Currently, nudists are banned from doing so by bylaws designed to deter people from stripping off.

The Naturists Action Group, have lashed out at apparent ‘misguided preconceptions and prejudices’.

If you choose to bare all, you could be charged for ‘harassment, alarm or distress’.

Naturists are campaigning for naked sunbathing rights in London parks

But if the group have their way it could all be about to change.

London’s parks including central Hyde Park and leafy Hampstead Heath are often filled with local soaking up the sun.

Group leader in London, John Paine, has been a nudist for more than 50 years.

He reminded those contemplating being a nudist that being naked is not necessarily illegal, reports the Standard.

Mr Paine said: ‘It’s only in the larger spaces like Hampstead Heath, one or two places in Hyde Park and one or two of the other spaces where there’s the possibility of there being an area, that’s not heavily used by people for other activities [and] could be appropriate for naturism.’

He said: ‘People who are naturists see it a lifestyle choice rather than a peculiar hobby.’

Currently, Hampstead Heath has a state-sanctioned nudists spot alongside the men’s bathing pond but it is only accessible to men.

The Naturists Action Group have tried to expand that section by meeting with the manager’s of the park.

Naturists are campaigning for naked sunbathing rights in London parksIt hasn’t met with positive approval from the park authorities (Picture: PA)Despite rising temperatures there has been no softening of their position so far.

Indeed a spokesman for the City of London Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath, has previously said: ‘Public nudity on Hampstead Heath is prohibited by our bylaws and could lead to prosecution as a criminal offence.’